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Council refuses to refund fines
David Williams, Motoring Editor12 Sep 2008
A campaigner is demanding police action against a London borough after it refused to refund motorists who were "wrongly" fined.
Camden doubled the size of a yellow box junction in West Hampstead in 2005 and 73 motorists were fined at the junction of West End Lane and Cleve Road.
However, campaigner Paul Pearson spotted it was twice as big as allowed under Department for Transport rules.
He contacted Camden in November 2005 and last monthCamden repainted the box, cutting it in half. But the council is refusing to refund the fines.
"We do not consider it appropriate to repay motorists retrospectively," a spokeswoman said.
Mr Pearson is pressing the Met to investigate, alleging misfeasance.
Reader views (6)
It's very simple, take them to court, re-claim the fine back, with cost's incurred, as well as interest.
- Neil Grinsell, london, 12/09/2008 15:15
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If the box was outside the limits prescribed in road traffic legislation, it did not exist in law at all. The same applies to all road signs and markings; they must be exactly as shown in the schedules to the relevant legislation in order to be enforceable.
Camdne Council have broken the law and committed a criminal offence. If the anti-motorist Police refuse to act, a complaint should be made to the IPCC.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 12/09/2008 14:37
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Hello London,
Many motorists have paid a fine to the Council because they thought they had done wrong, now it has been proven it was the councils mistake in the first place.... my view is take action against those who make up there own rules and get redress for the wrong doing?
Finally.... heads should roll, they are not above the LAW.
- J.L., Scarborough. N. YKS., 12/09/2008 13:00
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So they dont think its appropriate to repay motorists retrospectively?
So when a council tenant owes them rent or tax from previous years, are they going to not pursue it? fat chance, double standards or what, which is why i dont live in Camden, bloomin disgrace.
- Hafizur Rahman, London, Stratford, 12/09/2008 12:41
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"We do not consider it appropriate to repay motorists retrospectively," a spokeswoman said.
Just who are these people who make this kind of statement. These are public servants, You are the public so I would suggest they start serving the public and refund an illegal fine or go to jail, get fired and do not collect pensions.
- Ayliff Mcnab, Spain, 12/09/2008 12:17
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So Camden council are above the law? Are there any other rules they want to break? If they break the law,can we? Of course the police should investigate - and this case is another example of the us and them attitude of local authorities.
- Jeremy E, London, 12/09/2008 11:05
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